While mostly people say 'hi' when I enter chat, sometimes people don't say 'hi'. Sometimes I'll say 'hi' to the group, or sometimes I won't.

If I find that people are conversing and I'm not really feeling like part of things I try and figure out what people are talking about and join in with the established conversation. It can be hard when people are having an in depth conversation and new people enter and want themselves to become the focus without making an effort to figure out where things are at and join in with what is currently underway.

Sometimes while I'm in chat I'll say 'going for a smoke, back in 5'. So if you enter the room and say 'hi' to me at one of those times - I won't reply because I'm not at my computer, yeah. That being said, the other people in chat will know I'm away if you ask them whether I've maybe left my computer.

I can only chat at work. If supervisor or someone like that comes into the room I'll just shut the window without logging out. It looks to people in chat like I'm still in chat (If I log in again it logs me in as a different person eg alexandra_k4385867). Happens sometimes.

I guess the thing... Is to think... That it isn't personal. While it can be hard to not get 'hellos' and while it can be hard to become a part of a pre-established conversation it is possible.

I typically find that the more time I spend making an effort to participate in others conversations...
The more effort those others will expend on participating in a conversation that I initiate.

Reciprocity.

yeah.